At a Glance

Follow the endless cycle of life as you track the big five on the Serengeti plains. Trace the migratory path north through the remote Serengeti, an area rarely visited by outsiders, and cross into Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserve to search for the elusive leopard. Learn about elephants in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro and rhinos in the Great Rift Valley.

Activity Level

Active

Walking and standing on uneven ground; some stairs. Riding for extended periods in safari vehicles over unpaved surfaces; getting in/out of vehicles requires flexibility. Elevations up to 7,500 feet.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 10 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you'll ...

Replicate the annual migration as you journey from the Serengeti plains, through its riverine forest and rocky promontories, into the Maasai Mara.

Search for the “Big Five” — lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos — in East Africa’s most iconic national parks.

Discover the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater.

General Notes

All dates have a 12-person maximum and each participant will have a window seat in the safari van. Our program follows the yearly migration route, capturing different stages of the migration throughout the year. January-February is calving season for hooved animals. June-July see perfect weather. Animals prepare for the hardest part of the migration. September, peak tourist season, coincides with the migration through the Mara. October sees the migration move into the Serengeti. November-December are a birder's dream, with many species visiting from Eurasia. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Featured Expert

All Experts

James Kiptoo

James Kiptoo (Kip) was born and raised in a remote village on the western rim of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. As an adult, he has traveled extensively throughout Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and he thrives on sharing the experience of nature. His knowledge of the natural world is impressive, and he is a specialist in the birds of East Africa. After training with the Kenya Wildlife Service, he was awarded a certificate in sanctuary management. He has volunteered in various departments of the National Museum of Kenya and trained as a Kenya Museum Society guide. Since 1998, Kip has been a member of Nature Kenya for which he leads bird watching excursions, as well as tree walks at the Nairobi Arboretum. He bands birds with the Nairobi Ringing Group, contributes to the African Waterfowl Census, and participates in World Birdwatch. Kip is extremely happy to be a “bush teacher,” and he is eager to share his keen eye and wealth of knowledge with you.

Iain Douglas-Hamilton, J. Michael Fay, Peter Matthiessen, Cynthia Moss and David Quammen contribute to National Geographic photographer Michael "Nick" Nichols' stunning tribute to the elephant. Taken from two decades of work in Africa, the book includes a chapter on Daphne Sheldrick's work with orphaned elephants.

The perennially best-selling tale of a naive young woman who leaves Denmark for East Africa, Dinesen's (AKA Karen Blixen) autobiography draws us into life on a struggling coffee plantation. It's a moving story inspired by a love for Kenya and its people. Includes the novella Shadows on the Grass.

Featuring a habitat-based approach to more than 270 bird species, this handy guide to fowl in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Speke Gulf includes 480 color photos and accessible text.

Drayson draws on his time in Nairobi for this sweet novel about East Africa society -- revolving, naturally, around birding and the Hunt Ball at the Asadi Club. Reality intervenes in the shape of renegade Somalis.

A classic portrait of East Africa, enthralling in its detail on nature and daily life. Includes Masai, Ngorongoro, the Kenyan highlands and Mathiessen's field trips, safaris and adventures in the Serengeti.

An invaluable encyclopedic guide to Africa's mammals by a noted scientist, this perennial bestseller includes black-and-white drawings, an overview of each animal group and in-depth information. Written with the typical safari-goer in mind.

A hoof-level view of the Masai Mara and Serengeti. Photographer Anup Shah lets the wildlife reveal themselves, placing small remote cameras at watering holes, outcrops and other strategic spots. The ground-level view is as surprising as it is clever, putting you face-to-face with lion and cheetah and wildebeest and all the creatures in action across the plains.

With the ease of a practiced journalist, Reader weaves a masterful and lively tale of the continent, from ancient cultures to modern times. Both authoritative and informal, this is a splendid introduction to all of Africa.

Evening: Arrivals in Nairobi in the late evening. Meet your Study Leader on arrival and check in to the hotel.

DAY

3

Amboseli National Park / The East African Elephant

Amboseli National Park

B,L,D

Kilima Safari Camp

Activity note: The drive from Nairobi to Amboseli will take at least 4 hours and part of the road is unpaved. 2-3 hour game drives at sunrise and in the late afternoon. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Depart this morning by Safari Van for the Amboseli National Park.

Lunch: At the lodge in the Amboseli.

Afternoon: Meet your Study Leader for an orientation to game viewing and the wildlife of East Africa. Then put your new knowledge to work as you set out on your first game drive in the park. Before dinner, meet with an expert from the Amboseli Elephant Trust to learn about the majestic East African Elephant.

Dinner: Be welcomed to the Amboseli National Park with a dinner at the lodge.

DAY

4

Amboseli Big Game / The East African Elephant

Amboseli National Park

B,L,D

Kilima Safari Camp

Breakfast: In the lodge after the morning game drive.

Morning: As the sun rises, head out to continue the search through the varied wildlife habitats of the park. Later after a brief rest and before lunch join your Study Leader for a presentation: "Understanding the Tribes of Kenya and Tanzania" with a focus on the culture and customs of the Maasai.

Lunch: In the lodge.

Afternoon: After lunch, head back out in search of big game.

Dinner: In the lodge.

DAY

5

Twin peaks of Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro/ the coffee country

Arusha

B,L,D

Arusha Planet Lodge

Activity note: The drive from the lodge in Amboseli to the border will take at least 3 hours and part of the road is unpaved and can be rough at some times of year. The drive from the border to Arusha will take 2 hours and is paved.

Breakfast: In the lodge.

Morning: This morning we leave early, enjoying a scenic game drive through the western part of Amboseli to the Tanzanian border. Late in the morning we stop at the border for formalities and to change vehicles. We continue our drive from the border to the city of Arusha for lunch. the drive offers an excellent look into rural life in Kenya and Tanzania.

Lunch: In Arusha at a local hotel.

Afternoon: Located in the northern highlands of Tanzania, beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is the safari capital of the country. Guests embarking on the popular northern safari circuit all stop in the ‘Geneva of Africa’ to prepare for their journeys into the African bush. From is two-lane streets, the dramatic crater of Mt. Meru stands over the town like a majestic sentinel, it’s crater strewn with thick clouds, it’s slopes dark with verdant forest. Arusha’s ideal location near the major national parks and it’s highland setting make it a peaceful idyll of relaxation before the start of an exciting journey. Built by the Germans as a center of colonial administration in the early 20th century, Arusha was a sleepy town with a garrison stationed at the old boma and a few shops around a grassy roundabout. From its backwater status amidst the farmlands and plantations of northern Tanzania, today Arusha is one of the country’s most prosperous towns. The site for the United Nations Criminal Tribunal on the Rwandan genocide and the headquarters for the Tripartite commission for East African Co-operation, Arusha is a major center of Tanzanian diplomacy and international relations.

Dinner: At the lodge near Arusha.

DAY

6

Crossing the Great Rift Valley to Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

B,L,D

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Activity note: The drive from the lodge in Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park will take at 3 hours and the road is paved except inside the park. The drive from Lake Manyara National Park to the Lodge in Ngorongo will take about 3.5 hours and is also paved most of the way except part of the road is unpaved and can be rough at some times of year. While long, this day offers some excellent scenic driving and a unique look into rural East Africa.

Breakfast: In the lodge.

Morning: This morning we leave early, enjoying a scenic game drive through more of rural Tanzania and the Baobab Tree countryside. Lake Manyara National Park: We will visit this park located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, to discover it’s varied ecosystems, rich in wildlife and incredible numbers of birds. The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of bird life that thrives on its brackish waters. Pink flamingo stoop and graze and give colorful specks against the grey minerals of the lake shore. Yellow-billed storks swoop and corkscrew on thermal winds rising up from the escarpment, and herons flap their wings against the sun-drenched sky. Even reluctant bird-watchers will find something to watch and marvel at within the national park. Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are another reason why we will visit the park however we can not guarantee their sightings. The only kind of their species in the world, they make the ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their home during the rainy season, and are a well-known but rather rare feature of the northern park. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world — a fact that accounts for interesting game viewing of large families of the primates.

Lunch: On the way at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We climb the escarpment and continue to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where agriculture, wildlife conservation and tourism co-exist in one of Africa’s first experiments of multiple-land use. Upon arriving at the park gates learn more about the larger conservation area from your Study Leader. Prior to dinner take the time to enjoy the view of the crater floor from your rooms or from the terrace. The crater rim is a perfect viewpoint to observe the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.

Dinner: At the lodge.

DAY

7

The Wildlife of the Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

B,L,D

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Breakfast: In the lodge.

Morning: Descend the slope into the Ngorongoro Crater in 4-wheel-drive vehicles to spend the morning observing wildlife on the floor of the crater. The 102 square miles of the Ngorongoro Crater are home to 25,000 mammals, many of which are resident due to the geographically enclosed nature of the crater. The crater is also home to the last population of black rhino in northern Tanzania.

Lunch: Stop for an adventurous picnic lunch in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Afternoon: Continue your time in the unique Ngorongoro crater on an afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge. Watch the unmissable Ngorongoro Crater sunset. The sun makes a dramatic exit as it sinks below the crater rim. Later enjoy an early evening Presentation: "The Crater Ecosystem and Conservation."

Dinner: Dinner in the lodge.

DAY

8

Early History at Olduvai Gorge / The Plains of the Serengeti

Serengeti National Park

B,L,D

Naona Moru Camp

Activity note: The drive from Ngorongoro Crater Lodge to Olduvai Gorge is 2 hours on a non paved road. The drive from Olduvai Gorge to Seronera Wildlife Lodge varies according to how much game is seen en route.

Breakfast: In the lodge.

Morning: Depart early, with luggage,leaving the Crater Rim and make your way to the Serengeti. En route, visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum and learn about the Leakey’s research and discovery of the earliest known species of humanoids.

Lunch: A box lunch is provided to eat at the Serengeti Visitor center picnic area. The area also has a nice walking path up rocky outcrops known as ‘kopjes’ for those looking to stretch their legs.

Afternoon: As you continue driving to the lodge enjoy a game drive though the plains of the Serengeti. In February, this area can get very crowded with Zebras, Wildebeest and Gazelles often with young newborns, be on the lookout for wildlife, as this unfenced land is all part of the Serengeti ecosystem.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: Late evening Presentation: Stargazing – A Unique Night Under the African Sky led by your Study Leader. (weather permitting).

DAY

9

Into the Heart of the Serengeti

Serengeti National Park

B,L,D

Naona Moru Camp

Breakfast: At the camp after the morning game drive.

Morning: Get out early to search for game and perhaps a fresh kill just as the sun rises over the Serengeti. Look for fresh tracks and see the Park come to life.

Lunch: Boxed lunch en route.

Afternoon: In the Afternoon before going back out on safari, stop at the Serengeti Visitor Center to experience an illustrated presentation about the "Circle of Life". After the presentation, return to the plains to follow the watering holes along the Seronera creek in search of antelope, and other creatures gathering to re-hydrate.

Dinner: Dinner at the camp in the Serengeti National Park.

DAY

10

On the shores of Lake Victoria.

Speke Bay

B,L,D

Speke Bay Lodge

Breakfast: In the lodge.

Morning: In the early morning depart the camp to enjoy a scenic drive through the Western Corridor to the shores of Lake Victoria. As we drive west watch for the abundant resident wildlife stopping along the way to observe new sightings. Keep a lookout for animals as you finish the drive to Lake Victoria. Arrive at your lodge on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Lunch: At the Lodge

Afternoon: Enjoy a nature excursion on this beautiful lake led by an expert guide. During sunset, both sky and lake explode with light.

Dinner: In the lodge.

DAY

11

From the Shores of Lake Victoria and into the Maasai Mara

Masai Mara National Reserve

B,L,D

Fig Tree Camp

Breakfast: In the lodge.

Morning: After breakfast continue north to Kenya. As you drive on the main road, you will notice completely different local architecture passing through local villages. After crossing the border, continue to Migori where a charter flight awaits to bring you to the Maasai Mara. When you arrive in the Maasai Mara, the trip to the lodge is a morning game drive. Search for the creatures of the Mara before arriving at your lodge.

Lunch: At the lodge in the Maasai Mara.

Afternoon: In the afternoon set out on a game drive from your lodge/camp keeping a watch for many resident lion prides or the fastest of all cheetah.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner in the lodge.

DAY

12

Tracking the Big Five in the Maasai Mara.

Masai Mara National Reserve

B,L,D

Fig Tree Camp

Breakfast: In the camp after the morning game drive.

Morning: As the light brightens over the Mara, head toward the river to observe hippo, crocodile and birdlife. Depending on the migration, you may see wildebeest attempting the dangerous crossing. Later in the morning before lunch join a local Masai Moran on a nature walk through the edges of the Maasai Mara Park. Learn about local plant life and maybe observe some insects and lizards.

Lunch: At the camp.

Afternoon: There is a possibility that you will visit a Maasai Village en route today. It is truly a journey into timelessness, back to the way things have been for thousands of years. Some Road Scholars remain forever touched by the experience, the apparent purity, hopefullness, discipline, and pride of the Maasai people they shared this time with. However, we would like to prepare you for the reality of this visit. We hope you will understand that there is an element where you will be asked to buy their wares, trinkets, wood carvings, etc. at an improvised village market. The goods offered do not have prices on them. We have asked the Maasai elders to price the goods several times, however, they have not done so yet and do not understand why we are asking them to - to the extent where they think we are trying to westernize them. At this time, Road Scholar finds itself wanting to preserve the experience such that it is, however, would ask that you resist the selling pressure and stand firm and refuse purchase of any goods if you feel uncomfortable at any time. In the afternoon set out on your final game drive. Enjoy the sounds and sights as you say farewell to the Maasai Mara. Later join your Study Leader for a final wrap-up session and presentation.

Dinner: Final dinner in the Maasai Mara at the lodge.

DAY

13

Return to Nairobi

Nairobi

B,L

Eka Hotel

Activity note: Today you will fly from Maasai Mara back to Nairobi.

Breakfast: In the camp after the morning game drive.

Morning: At dawn, embark on a drive toward the river to observe hippo, crocodile and birdlife. Depending on the migration, you may see wildebeest attempting the dangerous crossing. Late Morning - Board a small plane back to Nairobi

Lunch: In a local restaurant on arrival in Nairobi.

Afternoon: Check in to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Dinner: Your choice to explore local fare. Suggestions will be provided locally.

Evening: At leisure

DAY

14

Giraffe Conservation and Elephant Orphanage

In Flight

B,L

Activity note: We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please be in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network, where you can share memories, pictures, and comments. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Depart for the elephant orphanage and learn about the conservation efforts here, you will also have the chance to feed the elephants During a special presentation, learn about the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Kenya efforts to increase the numbers of endangered Rothschild Giraffe at the Giraffe Center, where you will have the rare treat of hand-feeding these gentle giants and face them eye-to-eye from an elevated viewing platform.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to rest and pack prior to your flight. You have the use of your day room until 6 PM. We will be leaving for the airport shortly after this time.

Dinner: Your choice to explore local fare.

Evening: Coach departs to the airport with luggage.

DAY

15

Return Flights to U.S.

In Flight

Meals

34 Meals

12 Breakfasts

12 Lunches

10 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Eka Hotel is ideally located along Mombasa Road in Nairobi the capital city of Kenya. It is situated minutes away from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, 5km from Wilson Airport and 5km from the bustling central business district. The hotel is situated with convenient access to all the city's tourist attractions such as Nairobi National Park, Karen Blixen Museum, National Museum, Bomas of Kenya, and The Giraffe Centre. In addition, there is easy access to all key Government offices, corporates, diplomatic missions and industries. It also has easy reach to the city's main attractions, eateries and entertainment venues.

Kilima Safari Camp is a new property spread out on a vast conservation area of 360 acres next to the Kimana gate of Amboseli National Park. The tents have been fitted to offer a premium safari experience and have open views of the camp’s private wildlife water hole and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

This unique lodge clings to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, at 2200 m above sea level so could get cold in the rooms and there is no heating, please ask for additional blankets if you are cold. Long and low, the lodge is built from local river stone and camouflaged with indigenous vines. Designed to blend completely into the landscape, it is entirely invisible from the floor of the Crater 600 metres below. Linked by arched stone passages and timbered decks, its walls are decorated with stylized prehistoric cave paintings and lit by flaring torches. At the stone heart of the lodge burns a glowing fire, which is kept constantly alight. Decorated with cave paintings, the rooms are strung around the Crater rim. Each has its own rock- enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheater far below.

Although they have modern facilities, all tents are canvas, thus offering a total camping experience under the African Sky. With high quality canvas between your comfortable bed and the sounds of the African night, these camps provide the ideal accommodation for lovers of hte great outdoors, while retaining the coziness of a warm bed, a hot shower, gratifying cuisine and a welcoming team. There is a magical path of lanterns between the tented rooms and the Dining Tent. While there are kerosene lanterns used, you will also observe a mix of solar guide lights and scented beeswax candles to create an enchanting setting to unwind after the day's adventures. Feel free to take pleasure in the library Lounge Tent, enjoy you meals in the Dining Tent, and why not enjoy a sundowner while sitting around the nightly wood fire. For charging electrical equipment, a generator is run in the evenings for the dining and lounge tents (until 10PM only) -- please approach the camp manager for assistance.

Speke Bay Lodge is located on the south-eastern shore of Lake Victoria in Tanzania, East Africa. It is 15 kilometers from the Serengeti National Park, and 125 kilometers north of Mwanza. Speke Bay is part of Speke Gulf, named after the famous explorer John Hanning Speke, who, in 1858, discovered Lake Victoria to be the source of the Nile. Embraced by savanna, the Lodge looks like a small village, stretched out along the shores of the lake. The main buildings and luxury accommodation are round in form, built to perfection, painted white and thatched with a grass roof in the traditional style of the local tribe, the Sukuma. Since the Lodge is outside but close to the Serengeti National Park, it is the ideal place to start or end your safari, or relax during your travels.

This trip is a wonderful opportunity to visit East Africa and explore it's wonderful system of parks. The animal life and scenery was amazing. More than exceeded our expectations. The lodges and tent camps were great to stay in. Our guide was knowledgable and enhanced the educational component of the trip. He was a birder which was a big plus for us. I support otheres comments about the "challenge" of the dirt roads and the long days of travel. Others recommended and we took air pillows to help with the bumps and they did help. An extra day or two added to "unwind" in the middle would be worth the extra cost. Having said that, I would encourage anyone interested in East African wildlife, culture and scenerey to seriously consider this excellent trip.

Amazing wild life, super knowledgeable guide, no physical activity (you cannot walk in the national parks), but be prepared for getting in and out of Toyota Land Cruisers, long rough drives with lots of noise and vibration. Also be prepared for walking in cow poop and peeing behind a bush if necessary! It was absolutely worth it and you will see amazing wild life and a part of the world that will take your breath away!

This tour was #1 on my bucket list and it lived up to my expectations and more. It was an absolutely amazing experience and I would love to go back to Africa again! Our tour leader, James Mungai, was knowledgeable and added to the experience with his insights into the cultures and history of Eastern Africa and into animal behaviors on the game drives. Our tour group was a pleasure to travel with. I highly recommend this tour.

As many have said previously, this was a trip of a lifetime. Our group leader, James Mungai, was outstanding in all aspects of this journey following the migratory route of the wildebeest. The abundant and varied wildlife in their natural and spectacular settings were beyond my expectations.

If you've always wanted to experience Africa in a way that exceeds your grandest dreams, Road Scholar's East African Safari is the way to go. The trip was so exhilarating for me that I felt like a kid again on a wonderful and majestic adventure.

The trip to Kenya and Tanzania was a trip of a lifetime. I loved every minute of it. To see so many animals living as they should be out in the wild was totally exciting. I just couldn't believe all the wildlife we saw!

This was my second Road Scholar safari and I didn't think it was going to be possible, but it exceeded my expectations (which were high)for animal and bird viewing. Superb experience as we were able to see the Great Migration and the crossing at the Mara River. If you have back problems pay particular attention to the warnings about bumpy roads and long days in the vehicles getting "African massages". I had no problem with it as I had experienced it before. Don't miss this safari.

A fantastic trip and a really great experience. The animals on safari were wonderful beyond description. James Kiptoo was a great guide. He was extremely knowledgeable, and so very patient! One caveat: the safari roads were even worse than described in the program materials. I don't regret going, but I would not wish to repeat the experience of driving on those roads.

I highly recommend this trip. It exceeded our expectations. All of the lodging was completely unique and much more posh than expected, the game drives were incredibly up close and personal, the interaction with the Masaai was fascinating. We learned a lot and have over 1000 photos of incredibly memories!!

You'll see more wildlife than you can imagine. The camps are accommodating but add to the adventure. Early-morning wake-ups have an incredible pay-off. Weather was temperate and pests were almost nonexistent. An experience of a lifetime

This trip was awesome in every way. The guides and drivers were superb. The animals and scenery was even better. Feb is a good time to go as the people crowds were not large. I was able to get excellent pictures which was my main reason for going. Road Scholar planned an awesome trip. Hope you get to experience it too.

A superb look at wildlife and the beautiful countryside of Kenya and Tanzania. This trip fulfilled a lifelong wish to explore these countries with a knowledgeable native-born leader. Our drivers and hosts were excellent and made the trip one of Road Scholars' best offerings. Thank you.

We are returned back to Netanya, Israel from our spectacular Road Scholar adventure in Kenya and Tanzania. It was demanding, challenging, but very rewarding. We were off road in true wilderness, something that in this day and age is not easy to access or experience. It was like visiting the Garden of Eden. A true paradise. It was a glimpse of our species' origins as pastoralists and hunter gathers. We saw how, long ago, mankind lived in harmony with the environment, before history, progress, and development. Hearing the legend of the origins of the Maasai seemed to have some parallels with the creation story in Genesis.
Regarding Road Scholar, the arrangements functioned flawlessly. Everywhere we were treated kindly and felt comfortable.
However, those considering this trip should consider that the tour is very intense. Often days began before dawn and ended after sunset. Only part of the trips were by road. Most was on tracks, off-road. The ride at times was quite uncomfortable, but it was worth it. The animals were plentiful and the scenery was awesome. There were many exotic moments and thrills such as witnessing a panther and her cubs take an antelope, an hour long effort using stealth and patience ending with a sudden attack.
Living in tents added to the authenticity of the experience. I believe the drivers and guide enjoyed the trip which added to our enjoyment.
This trip is an experience we will never forget.

This was an excellent trip with ample opportunities for viewing large numbers of birds and animals in several settings. The African vistas are astonishing, especially at dawn and dusk, and the feeling of timelessness is real. Special credit to our leader James who combined knowledge of the wildlife, kindness and organization to make it a memorable experience.

A country girl who was seeking a truly back to nature experience. This trip delivered. Nature at it's very best for as far as the eye can see. Animals living in harmony, a model for mankind. Thanks to Road Scholar and the program leader for such a wonderful, well organized once in a lifetime trip.

Wildlife viewing was stupendous! Scenery was magical! Service was impeccable. People friendly and polite. Rugged, but worth it. Tiring because of extended periods of bouncing over poor roads in the heat of the day. But, you do (somewhat) get "used" to it. Conditions are accurately described in the program materials. For those with an adventurous spirit, go now!

It is a fantastic program - the weather in late Oct and early Nov was great - saw the end of the dry season and the greening up after a little rain - only saw one mosquito in the Nairobi hotel - good to go a few days early to rest up and see things not on the program and RS will help you arrange this

Our safari from October 5-19, 2015 was a terrific experience, due in no small part to the skill and personality of our guide Philip Keter.
Because of his expertise, we saw all the game one would hope – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, etc. – and in various settings. In addition, Philip is a cosmopolitan and informed person – we learned about Kenyan and Tanzanian politics as well. The accommodations were excellent, ranging from safari camps with rooms the size of some New York City studio apartments to luxury lodges such as the Serena at Ngorongoro Crater. The food was fine. And six is a perfect size group to travel with. I would suggest bringing a bathing suit since a mid-day dip into the ample pool at Kilima Safari Camp is a great way to beat the heat.

The statement in pre tour literature , 'able to walk 2 miles' does not indicate the exhaustion level of this trip.and in fact we never had to walk 2 miles. But we did have to ride 6-8 hours/day over ' African Massage ' roads i.e., wash board/huge pot hole roads the participants in our group were extremely tired . The excitement of the viewing experience did help to negate this feeling somewhat .

This program exceeded our expectations in EVERY way. Our guide, James Mungai, made the trip truly memorable and spectacular. We'd highly recommend this trip! Great guide, wonderful opportunities to see wildlife, great accommodations and food, and a seamless level of organization that made the trip spectacular. Sign up!!!!!!!

This was an amazing trip which exceeded my expectations about being able to observe so many different wildlife species in their natural environment. Several of the days involved long hours of travel over unpaved terrain, which some might find challenging, but it was definitely worth it!

The animal interactions went way beyond my expectations! The hours in the jeeps on very bumpy, dusty unpaved roads were long, usually 6 - 8 hours per day, and uncomfortable. Because of that, the 4.8 activity rating is legitimate! The number of up close and personal interactions with not just all of the big 5 but also the big 9 made the discomfort a secondary memory.

Road Scholar not only brings education into traveling, they also make the overall experience as easy as possible for the participants. This trip definitely exceeded my expectations for seeing and learning about the animals of the Great Migration.

It was a wonderful trip. We saw the big five, the wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River, thousands of animals grazing on the plain, and the unforgettable vast land under the blue sky during the day and ever changing clouds in the late afternoon. The accommodations and food were very good. Only a few mosquitos around but we did wear bug repellent sprayed cloths. 40% DEET was only used once or twice. Diarrhea is a concern so bringing the appropriate medicine is important. Philip Ketter is an excellent guide that helped us to see everything we expected to see.

Just got back from the trip, 9/7 - 9/21. Wonderful, if a bit dusty as we were traveling at the end of the dry season. No problems with bugs so we had WAY more repellent than we ever used. Sunscreen is a must! All site have laundry available for very reasonable prices. If you take cash (a very good idea) it should be in $1, $5, or $10 bills at the most. All places we went took US currency although you may pay slightly higher prices that way. ($4 vs 300 KS for a drink). The exchange rate is ~ 100 KS to $1. Have extra camera batteries so you can charge one while using the other. Make sure you have the correct adapters for each country. Generators are only on certain hours of the day so plan ahead.
All in all, it was a WONDERFUL trip. Philip Ketter is amazing. He knows everything about the animals, birds, plants, people & history of the countries. He also seems to know someone everywhere we went.

The game drives were the best part of this adventure but getting there on Tanzanian roads is a challenge. The unpaved roads were potholed, washboard, and rutted. They make for long days driving between sites.